Sourcing GS1100G Engine Parts - Mostly Gaskets

[BretIPC]

Hey Guys,

Full disclosure: I own and run a motorcycle repair and engine machine shop. I have an engine I am building for a 1982 GS1100G (8-valve, shaft drive). I generally don't work on stuff this old. I mostly work on dirtbikes & ATVs with an occasional modern sport bike here and there. I have been building bikes and engines for over 20 years but I have not ever had any GS's come across my bench before.

I have already put a lot of time and effort into figuring out the compatibility of pistons, valvetrain, cams, etc, and I am pretty much down to the gaskets now. I would prefer to purchase a complete gasket set, as opposed to picking each item individually. With my luck, when I go to assemble the engine, I would be missing a single o-ring or something small that would hold up the whole build.

Can anyone point me to a quality gasket set that will at least mostly work this engine? Will a GS1000G set work? Can I use a GS1100E set and maybe just get the separate gaskets for the shaft output, or are the rest of the crankcase gaskets different?

[Nessism]

There are NO quality gaskets "kits" for GS bikes. If you care about your customers, buy OEM gaskets exclusively. Only exception, valve stem seals. The aftermarket viton seals are great.

Guys on a budget will get the OEM PN's from Partzilla, or similar, then hit ebay, and look for a good price. Don't buy gaskets that look super old, though. They can dry out if decades old.

And, the 1100E and 1100G engines are totally different. Very few gaskets are the same.

[BretIPC]

There are NO quality gaskets "kits" for GS bikes. If you care about your customers, buy OEM gaskets exclusively. Only exception, valve stem seals. The aftermarket viton seals are great.

Guys on a budget will get the OEM PN's from Partzilla, or similar, then hit ebay, and look for a good price. Don't buy gaskets that look super old, though. They can dry out if decades old.

And, the 1100E and 1100G engines are totally different. Very few gaskets are the same.

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. OEM it is.

[BretIPC]

One other question. I can ask this directly to APE, but it's the weekend and they take a bit to respond during the week (they do respond and are very helpful, though).

Do the adjustable cam sprockets for the 16v 1100s work on the 8v cams? In theory, I would think they would unless the chain is a different pitch or the bolt spacing is different. If they don't work, does anyone else make adjustable sprockets that would?

[Nessism]

I'd put a grinding stone on a dremel, and slot the OEM sprockets. Cheaper and faster. Mark the slot first, don't guess, that will speed up the process. Amazon sells packs of cheap grinding bits/stones. You may need several...

[GregT]

I'd put a grinding stone on a dremel, and slot the OEM sprockets. Cheaper and faster. Mark the slot first, don't guess, that will speed up the process. Amazon sells packs of cheap grinding bits/stones. You may need several...

Agreed - or a carbide burr in a die grinder. If you've got the style of sprocket which has a plastic noise damper moulded on, remove it. But do a sketch of where the timing marks are in relation to the bolt holes. A good scriber will reinstate the marks.

[BretIPC]

I'd put a grinding stone on a dremel, and slot the OEM sprockets. Cheaper and faster. Mark the slot first, don't guess, that will speed up the process. Amazon sells packs of cheap grinding bits/stones. You may need several...

I may give that try! I have a Bridgeport mill, so I could probably figure out something in there with a carbide end mill.